Gravity thermal dilator



Jan.7,1936. V WR NEMZEK 2,026,747

GRAVITY THERMAL DILATOR Filed March 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J lNVENTOR W/H/am PB Nem ek,

HIS ATTORNEY r to the inlet 22 of the applicator 23.

Patented Jan. 7, 1936 7 2,026,747 GRAVITY THERMAL DILATOR William P. B. Nemzek, North Arlington, N. J.

Application March 16, 1935, Serial No. 11,377

2 Claims.

The invention relates to a gravity thermal dilator to be utilized for the application of heat to the walls of the body cavities in the pelvic region, and more particularly the vagina.

One of the important objects of the invention is the provision of an applicator of such simple construction that it may readily be inserted by the patient in the privacy of the home.

Known devices of this character having similar functions are complicated and involved and are only capable of being used in a hospital or a doctors oflice as it is imperative that either a doctor or a competent nurse be in attendance, not only to insert the applicator, but to be on hand while the treatment is being given.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Referring to the drawings forming a part thereof and in which one form of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view of the apparatus with parts broken out and parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the applicator;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the expansible member being shown in broken lines in the dilated position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a valve used to control the flow of the heating fluid; and

Fig. 5 is a top plan viewof said valve.

Referring again to said drawings the reference numeral l designates an insulated container. This container may be of the double wall type having a vacuum space H between the walls I2 and I3. It is provided with a hook I 4 for-suspending it at any desired height and a closure member I6 having a suitable vent II. The container l0 may be suspended at the desired height on a wall, or a stand, adjustable as to height may be provided. The fact of the container being portable and that its elevation may be easily and quickly varied is of importance because the elevation of the container materially aids in controlling the dilationof the expansible member, hereinafter described. For purposes of illustration an upright or stand I8 having a p1urality of hooks or pins I9 is shown.

The lower part of the container has an outlet 20 to which a flexiblehose 2| may be attached. The other end of the flexible hose 2| is secured The hose 2| is provided with a conventional shut off clamp 24.

The applicator 23 comprises a body member 25. body member is annular in cross section and is formed of semi-hard rubber. It has two longitudinal passages 26 and 21 and a rounded end portion 28. The passage 26 may be termed the inlet passage and a metal nipple 22 may be inserted therein to facilitate attaching the hose IS. The passage 21 may be termed the outlet passage and is provided with a nipple 29 to which an- =other length of flexible hose 3!! may be attached.

Removably secured-to the body member 25 is an expansible bag 3|. This bag has a neck portion 32 which snugly fits about the body portion 25. The expansible member 3| has bi-lateral extensions 33 and a pocket 34 at its upper control region. The pocket 34 is made to conform with the rounded end 28 of the body member. The expansible member is made of a comparatively thin elastic material and when the neck portion 32 is slipped over the body portion 25 the pocket 34 functions to center and position the expansible member in relation to the body portion. The core or body-portion thus passes through the expansible member and this is quite important as it greatly helps in the insertion of the applicator. In the act of inserting the core acts as a support for the expansible member and in view of the expansible member not being secured to the end of the core a free and easy and equally distributed dilation is obtainable. This, in connection with the removability of the expansible member is considered an important feature of the invention. The expansible member 3| obviously is the part of the applicator that will wear out the quickest. This member is comparatively inexpensive and in accordance with the invention may be easily and quickly renewed.

The body portion 25 may be provided with an annular groove 35 to facilitate holding the expansible member in position and in addition the neck portion 32 may have a reinforced'bead 36 to further aid in maintaining the position of the expansible member.

The flexible hose 30 forms the outlet from the applicator and is provided. with a valve 40 for controlling the rate of flow. With the valve shown in the position of Figs. 4 and the flow is cut ofi entirely. When the valve handle 4| is turned clockwise and abuts the stop 42 the valve is cracked or opened slightly and the liquid flows slowly. When the handle 4| is turned counterclockwise and abuts the stop 43 the valve is fully open. Obviously it may be set for any intermediate position. Numerous other methods may be utilized to control the size of the outlet 30.

In operation the container I0 is filled with Water heated to the predetermined temperature and the container being insulated this temperature is substantially maintained for the required length of time. The handle of the shut off clamp 22 is depressed so that no water may flow through the hose IS. The valve 4| is then set according to the doctors instructions as to the length of time the treatment is to last and as to the amount of dilation desired. The applicator 23 is inserted into the vagina or other body cavity. It is desired to point out at this time that the applicator is as easily inserted into the vagina as any ordinary douche nozzle with which every woman is familiar. The handle of the shut ofi clamp 22 is raised and the Water entering the applicator dilates the bilateral extensions. The dilated position is illustrated in broken lines in Fi 3.

Another one of the important aspects of the invention is that the amount of dilation of the applicator is controlled by the elevation of the container and the size of the outlet opening which said body-portion, a removable expansible member, a neck-portion on said removable expansible member, said neck-portion snugly engaging the body-portion of saidapplicator, bilateral extensions on said expansible member, a pocket formed between said bilateral extensions, said pocket being adapted to cooperate with the rounded end of said body-portion, an inlet for said applicator, and an outlet for said applicator, said inlet and said outlet comprising ducts formed in the rubber body-portion of said applicator.

2. An applicator for a thermal dilator, said applicator having in combination, a body-portion formed of semi-hard rubber, a removable expansible member having bi-lateral extensions and a neck portion, said body-portion entering intoand extending to the upper region of said removable expansible member whereby said removable expansible member freely embraces the upper part of said body portion, said bi-lateral extensions being .free to move away zfrom said body portion under dilation, the neck portion of said removable expansible member snugly engaging said body portion, an inlet for said applicator, and an outlet for said applicator, said inlet and said outlet comprising ducts formed in the rubber body-portion of said applicator whereby fiuidmay enter and pass out so as to maintain dilation in the bi-lateral extensions of said removable expansible member.

WILLIAM P. B. NEMZEK. 

